The Supreme Court has delayed the hearing on Delhi’s urgent plea for additional water from Himachal Pradesh due to unresolved issues in the petition filed by the Delhi Government. The Vacation Division Bench, comprising Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and Prasanna B Varale, noted the outstanding defects in the documents and scheduled the next hearing for June 12, 2024, ensuring all necessary reports are on file by then.
Previously, the Supreme Court mandated that Himachal Pradesh release 137 cusecs of water to Delhi and instructed Haryana to ensure the unobstructed flow of this water from Hathnikund to Wazirabad, crucial for providing drinking water to Delhi residents. Despite this directive, the current procedural setbacks have stalled immediate relief.
With significant media coverage potentially influencing perceptions, the Bench expressed a preference for a thorough examination of the official file over media reports. The delay underscores the bureaucratic hurdles complicating the resolution of Delhi’s water crisis, leaving its residents in prolonged uncertainty.
